New exhibition at Exeter’s Custom House showcases the beauty of ships

A new art exhibition Afloat or Ashore at Exeter Custom House will showcase beautiful and evocative paintings from the finalists of a competition. 

The exhibition opens on Saturday 12 April 2025 with the winning and best entries from last year’s art competition organised by the Society and National Historic Ships UK to celebrate historic vessels from around the UK. 

The competition and exhibition are a partnership between the Royal Society of Marine Artists, the Wapping Group of Artists, and National Historic Ships UK. 

The exhibition is showing at Exeter Custom House from 12 April – 11 May, and entry is free. The Custom House is open every day from 10am-5pm. 

A number of demonstrations will be taking place during the exhibition: 

Colin Allbrook RSMA – A Marine Watercolour  

Wednesday 23 April (10.30am – 12.30pm) – Using a sketchbook drawing, Colin will produce a watercolour from this, describing his materials and equipment and showing the techniques he uses in a finished watercolour. He will be happy to take questions during the demonstration.  

Book your place: exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/custom-house-colin-allbrook-rsma-a-marine-watercolour/ 

John Scott Martin PRSMA – Sketchbooks for Inspiration and Reference  

Thursday 24 April (2.30pm – 4.30pm) – John will show how his finished paintings all originate from visual ideas in his sketchbooks. The talk will be supported by a PowerPoint presentation. 

Book your place: exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/custom-house-john-scott-martin-prsma-sketchbooks-for-inspiration-and-reference/ 

Tony Williams RSMA Quick Start Oil Paint Technique 

Wednesday 30 April (10.30am – 12.30pm) – Tony will demonstrate a method which he uses to quickly establish the composition, dynamic light, and tonality of a painting in oils. He may use several subjects to show the flexibility of this technique. 

Book your place: exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/custom-house-tony-williams-rsma-quick-start-oil-paint-technique/ 

Greg Ramsden RSMA – Capturing Light in Mixed Media 

Friday 2 May (10.30am – 12.30pm) – Capturing light in Monochrome oils will be the focus of the demo by Greg Ramsden. Using sketches and his own photographs, Greg will share his processes from sketches to finished oil painting. 

Book your place: exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/custom-house-greg-ramsden-rsma-capturing-light-in-mixed-media/ 

There is a charge of £25 per person for each demonstration, with booking advisable.